Team Hired to Design New EMS, Renton Fire Station

Plum Borough Council is moving ahead with plans to build a new structure that would house the Plum Emergency Medical Services and the Renton Volunteer Fire Department.

Last week, council hired Boyd B. Anastas for architectural services at a cost of $106,500; Fahringer, McCarty, Grey Inc. for landscaping and architectural services for $83,000; R.F. Mitall Associates for engineering services for $70,000; Massaro Construction Management Services for pre-construction services for $44,500; and  Trans Associates for traffic engineering for $19,500.

Project and site managers with Massaro will be paid $90 and $80 per hour, respectively.

Officials plan to build a new structure for both entities on the borough-owned 110-acre property between Old Leechburg and Renton roads. The new public works facility also is located on the property.

Borough Manager Mike Thomas said the structure would most likely be one building with two separate locations for the EMS and fire station. Borough staff, the new team in place and members of Renton VFD and Plum EMS are expected to work together to draw up site specifications.

"There will be no cross connection," Thomas said. "They would each have their own space and parking."

Officials hope to finance the project by refinancing a 2010 $7 million bond, which would give the borough about $1.6 million to work with for the new building.

Thomas said the fire department and EMS will pay their share of the debt service costs and they will reimburse the borough for project costs.

"We're managing the whole thing, but they're designing what they need with what they can afford," he said. "Then they'll pay us back."

The infrastructure to complete Old Mine Road from a cul-de-sac to a new intersection at Old Leechburg and Renton could cost about $750,000. Thomas estimated the building itself could cost $1 million. Exact numbers won't be available until designs are complete and officials receive bids on the project.

Thomas said everyone involved in trying to be fiscally responsible.

"We're doing this within the existing tax structure," he said.